The gold leaf. [volume] (Henderson, N.C.) 1881-1911, 1887-09-15

who had Done Him Injury in Reflect
ing upon his Persona Beauty.
The following copy of letter has
been handed to the WvId with a
view to general publicity:
NJ. Go. ". Ttid, Editor Cran5erry Pal
Led5HA::
sIR-My attention has just been
called to a printed statement made
over your own signature some time
ago, in which you spoke in light and
f1jppant manner of my hair. The re-
mark was carefully worded, but calcu-
lated to cast obloquy and reproach
upol me in the eyes of the public. |
have spoken to several friends in rela
ton to it and they are of one opinion
in the matter. They unite in saying
that the term " Mexican hairless hu-
mori5t' demands a challenge, to say
nothing of the statement that "while
On board a train which was robbed in
Nebraska" I succeeded in conceal
ing my jewelry iii nay hair until the
danger had passed.
For this, sir, beg to state nay ad
dress is No. 23IH Rue de Bowery,
opposite the Place du Railway Myste-
rie, and to ask that you will send me
your own address. | forward this by
the hands of a slow messenger boy,
who will bring me your answer as soon
as he gets thoroughly rested. l need
not add that he is my friend and will
act as my second, should you refuse to
retract the statements referred to. You
may also settle with him for this mes
sage and your own.
| will settle with you.
| hope, sir, that YOU will excuse any
! thing that may seem coarse or brutal
in this challenge, for | desire only to
take your life without giving you any
oGense, and | want to be polite like
other duelists. Nay | ask, therefore,
that at your earliest convenience you
will name a quiet place, as free from
malaria as possible, where we can kill
each other undisturbcd.
May [ trouble you also, sir, to select
two as dangerous weapons as possible,
and also the surgeon who generally
seWs up at such times.
The De Nyes have always been a
! ot-blooded race ever since they left
France, and they can none Of them
| brook an insult or bear to be trampcd
on
When I first read your singing III
suit in the paper | became delirious
with passion, and although | am not
related. to the Knickerbockers my
breath came in short pants.
The De Nyes are pleasant people tc
meet, but the man who infurates one
of them is liable to meander up the
aume in an obliQue manner. Pardon
anything, sir, in this communication
which may sound harsh or clash with
the smooth and scholarly style of as
sassination peculiar to the code.
desire to meet YOU in mortal combat
but I want to do it in a polished way
and | desire to word this note SO that
it will read we'll in print, like otheI
challenges.
/ | have consulted several friend:
about the prospect of our meeting IN
duel at no distant day, and all OF then
seem to be highly gratifed. 1t afford
me great pleasure to nott that l g.
into this thing with the hearty indorse
ment ana God-speed of all, withou
distinction. If you would prefer t.
wait a few weeks, till the weather /
cooler, SO that you can lie il stat
longer, l will try to muzzle my wrath
but would advise you rot to cross m.
trail in the meantime.
Nv second Will no doubt inform
, you that l am an expert and deadl
swordsman, and will try to convinc
you that it will be best not to nam
, the sword. Do not be too proud t
heed his advice 1t may save you
life-and mine also.
l hope you will not treat this chal
!enge lightly, sir, and try still furthe
to heap ridicule upon an old and mil
, dewed name by suggesting soft love
{ or watermelons as weapons. Let L
meet as. gentlemen, sir-hre and IA
: down, stagger to our feet, lean heavil
, against tree, mutter few words j
Il hoarse voice, gasp two times IN rapf
succession and 90 home.
| feel almost certain, sir, that yo
. will treat this note in a sighting an
! jaunty manner, but | beg that you Wi
not do SO. For the sake Of the Tidd:
, who were always plain but rathe
, pleasant set of people and for the SAX
2 of the De Neys, whose only fault ha
a been their fondness for fresh, hot blood
furnished by other parties; for ii
sake of all our ancestors, sir, let II
: beg of you to assist in making tn
e duel 4 success.
e III have been brutal in the wordin
1 of this challenge, sir, or violated Il
Il code. or misspelled any words, vi
o you please have II corrected before yc
lsend it to the printer ? | ask this favc